Freezing temperatures and humid weather can cause pain or stiffness in our joints; the same thing happens to dogs. Cold weather can have a significant impact on a dog’s movements. The impact can be even more drastic on an arthritic dog. A dog with arthritis already has joint inflammation, and cold temperatures can further exacerbate symptoms.
Read on to learn more about why winter weather can make it more difficult for an older dog to walk and move around:
How Cold Weather Affects a Dog’s Movements
Joint inflammation and stiffness:
In winter, the cold can make a dog’s joints stiffer, making movement more difficult and painful. Your dog may even move differently. The discomfort may cause them to walk slower and more carefully, and their gait may also change. Dogs with arthritis may experience a more noticeable impact on their mobility, as arthritic joints are particularly sensitive to temperature changes. This stiffness can be particularly pronounced in the morning or after a period of inactivity.
Movement Changes:
![Two wheelchair-bound French bulldogs bundled up for a snow day](https://www.walkinpets.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/frenchie-snow.jpg)
Your dog’s posture and the way he walks may change during extreme temperature drops. Older dogs may change the way they stand or move to feel more comfortable. This might mean shifting their weight from a joint that hurts to putting more weight on a “healthy joint.” This can put additional pressure on a healthy leg.
When a dog’s muscles and joints are cold and stiff, their range of motion may be reduced. In response to the cold, dogs may contract their muscles, making them less flexible and can lead to a stiff, rigid gait. This muscle tension is often a protective response to cold, as it helps prevent heat loss, but it can negatively affect the dog’s mobility. This can lead to a shuffling or stilted gait, with shorter steps and less fluid movements. Other physical signs of joint pain may include stiffer, slower movements or an overall decrease in activity levels.
Dogs in wheelchairs may also feel the impact of the cold. Since they may be less inclined to go for walks or participate in outdoor activities, prolonged periods of downtime can cause muscle atrophy and further limit their mobility.
Reduced blood flow:
Cold temperatures can decrease blood flow to the extremities, including the joints. This reduction in blood flow can make arthritis-related inflammation and discomfort worse. In cold weather, the blood vessels (capillaries) in a dog’s extremities, including its legs and paws, tend to constrict or narrow. This natural response is called vasoconstriction and is the body’s way of retaining heat. However, this also means less blood flow to these areas, which can lead to reduced warmth and flexibility in muscles and joints.
How to Improve Your Dog’s Mobility in Cold Weather
Owners of pets with special needs and the elderly should pay close attention to any signs of mobility changes. Keeping your dog’s joints healthy all year round is an important part of their overall health and quality of life. Here are some ways to help your dog stay active all winter long:
Consult your veterinarian:
If the cold affects your dog’s ability to move freely, it is important to consult a veterinarian. Only your veterinarian can offer you personalized advice and tailor-made treatment plans for your dog, especially for a dog with mobility problems.
Every dog’s needs are different and solutions may include medication, diet modification, structured exercise through rehabilitation therapy and even joint support. Always talk to your veterinarian before starting treatment with your dog.
Daily joint supplements:
For dogs facing mobility issues, joint health is of the utmost importance, especially in cold weather. Joint stiffness can be made worse by falling temperatures, making adequate support essential. High quality common supplement is designed to support your dog’s joint health, relieve stiff joints, support joint structure and help support a dog’s mobility to help your canine companion stay active and comfortable during the winter months .
Mobility support all year round:
![A dog in a wheelchair plays in the snow](https://www.walkinpets.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/play-in-snow.jpg)
Dogs that show signs of mobility changes when the temperature drops most likely benefit from year-round mobility assistance. Your dog doesn’t have to struggle. Mobility aids like dog wheelchairs and lifting harnesses can help dogs with mobility issues, allowing them to stay more active without straining. Here are some ways they can help you:
- Difficulty standing – a rear support leash can be used to support your dog’s rear and help him get up off the ground to stand.
- Climbing stairs – a lifting harness is a great way to stabilize and support your dog when going up or down stairs.
- Sliding on tile or hardwood floors – wearing dog boots or traction socks with a rubber sole can help an older dog grip the floor better, helping them keep their paws in place when standing .
- The dog prefers only one leg and cannot bear weight evenly – a dog wheelchair provides pets